Chasing the Dragon, dangers of opioids documentary

September 21, 2016 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

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Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services and the Henrico County Drug Court will present a free showing of the documentary “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict” on Wednesday, Sept. 21 to educate the public on the dangers of opioid use and addiction.

The 45-minute film, released in February by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road. The event also will include a service fair beginning at 6:30 p.m. and resuming after the film. More than a dozen community service providers will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about substance use disorders.

“Chasing the Dragon” features explicit, first-person accounts of people who have either abused opioids or whose children have abused opioids with tragic consequences. The film’s title refers to the cycle of addiction and users’ pursuit of the so-called “ultimate” high. Viewer discretion is advised.

Opioid and prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic in the United States. More than 46,000 people die annually from drug overdoses, with half of the deaths caused by opioids and prescription drugs, according to the FBI and DEA. In addition, the country has more deaths from drugs than from car accidents, according to the agencies.